God is not an idea or a concept but is rather a Personal Being of infinite power, beauty, and goodness. He is a Being who desires to be known and reveals himself to us. He makes himself known to us through the works of his creation and through direct experience of his Holy Spirit. … Continue reading Pastor Note #39: A Statement of Faith
Tag: Religion and Spirituality
Bible Note #15 — Exodus 34:29-35
Exodus 34:29-35 There is, in this passage, an interesting small but important detail that I have never really noticed before. It lies behind the widely recognized, though certainly bizarre, fact that Moses' face acquired an intense radiance as a result of close time spent in the physical presence of God. The people were quite terrified … Continue reading Bible Note #15 — Exodus 34:29-35
Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Bringing the Marks of Everyday Life into the Presence of the Lord Finally, I had a decent black suit. I was very pleased with that fact on this particular morning as I drove to conduct a funeral. Until a recent, successful trip to the Bargain Hut, I had been without a good black suit. I … Continue reading Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All
Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, Lord of all time, Lord of this moment, Lord of all things living and Lord of my own beating heart, I want you to be my Lord. I want my fleeting thoughts to be from you and for you. I want you to be the head waters of my … Continue reading Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All
Pastor Note #27 — Are You Ready?
ARE YOU READY? Rev. Gary Chorpenning It isn’t really supposed to be a happy season – Advent isn’t. But we have tended to make it that way. Well, who can blame us? Our world has been feeling rather grim lately. Who could blame us for grabbing hold of any little occasion for happiness we can … Continue reading Pastor Note #27 — Are You Ready?
Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer
Lord, my emotions are squirming around in me in a very uncomfortable way. I know that that is caused by a wide range of pressures, stressors, foolish thoughts, genuine problems, and a real sense of overload, of having more things in my mind than I can keep track of. Important matters are slipping through my … Continue reading Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer
Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship
Father, we gather today to worship you. That is our identity not merely an action that we take. We are the people who worship you, O blessed and singular Trinity. Nurture that identity in us. Enter our being as a people and as persons and by your Holy Spirit infuse that true identity deep within … Continue reading Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship
Prayer Note #23 — A Bible Study on Prayer, Psalm 84:1-12
The Bible has a lot to say about prayer. Some of the places where we find wisdom and instruction on prayer don't actually use the word much or even at all. In Psalm 84, the word, "prayer," appears once, yet the entire psalm is about communing with God. And communing with God is certainly the … Continue reading Prayer Note #23 — A Bible Study on Prayer, Psalm 84:1-12
Pastor Note #25 — Words of “Wisdom” from One of the Old Guys
Today, I received an e-mail from my seminary alma mater, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. It was sent out to all of their alumni, inviting them to share some "words of wisdom" for those who will be graduating in about a month. Since that sounded like a lot more fun than what I was supposed to be … Continue reading Pastor Note #25 — Words of “Wisdom” from One of the Old Guys
Bible Note #7 — Esteeming Christ
Isaiah 49:1-6 Lord, there are some things about this passage of your scriptures that I don’t think I understand. I know that you want me to understand your word. But sometimes that isn’t easy. Here in these verses someone is speaking about his mission – a mission he has received from you, but who … Continue reading Bible Note #7 — Esteeming Christ
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 